During the election of 1860, the Democratic Party split into the Northern Democrats, who nominated Steven Douglas, and the Southern Democrats, who nominated John C. Breckenridge. The Republicans nominated Lincoln because he believed that slavery was morally wrong and wanted to prevent its spread into the western territories. Although the Republicans reaffirmed the right of Southern states to preserve slavery, many Southerners viewed Lincoln's election as a threat to their society and culture, even their lives.
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| Confederacy Soldiers used whatever available. |